Sol Gamsu
@solgamsu.bsky.social
Sociologist/sociologue/soziologe of education (elites, geographies, social mobility, dreaming/fighting for another education).
Union rep UCU: organising in various capacities. Working/living in Durham/Newcastle mostly. https://linksta.cc/@Sol%20Gamsu
Union rep UCU: organising in various capacities. Working/living in Durham/Newcastle mostly. https://linksta.cc/@Sol%20Gamsu
I've found my perfect revision texts for the next time we have a @ducu.bsky.social physics teach out
November 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I've found my perfect revision texts for the next time we have a @ducu.bsky.social physics teach out
Bought some ice cream from the cornershop & posted my @ucu.org.uk ballot.
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
November 1, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Bought some ice cream from the cornershop & posted my @ucu.org.uk ballot.
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
As my dept rep said this week, pensions took 5 years to win, we've got to be dogged & stubborn even when we're tired.
There's no way (higher) education will get better without education workers fighting for it
#WeAreTheUni
We moved offices at work. My old office had a lovely blackboard in it. When I started this job in 2019 I scribbled these quotes up over the course of that year and never got rid of them.
I was younger then and it was easier to see hope and possibility in politics with Corbyn as Labour leader.
I was younger then and it was easier to see hope and possibility in politics with Corbyn as Labour leader.
October 8, 2025 at 9:03 AM
We moved offices at work. My old office had a lovely blackboard in it. When I started this job in 2019 I scribbled these quotes up over the course of that year and never got rid of them.
I was younger then and it was easier to see hope and possibility in politics with Corbyn as Labour leader.
I was younger then and it was easier to see hope and possibility in politics with Corbyn as Labour leader.
Been reading on the professional-managerial class for a chapter on 'academic activism', union organising and class relations in the university.
This graphic from late 1960s/70s US universities is included in the original chapter - apt & still relevant!
repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/...
This graphic from late 1960s/70s US universities is included in the original chapter - apt & still relevant!
repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/...
August 5, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Been reading on the professional-managerial class for a chapter on 'academic activism', union organising and class relations in the university.
This graphic from late 1960s/70s US universities is included in the original chapter - apt & still relevant!
repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/...
This graphic from late 1960s/70s US universities is included in the original chapter - apt & still relevant!
repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/...
You can read all about that in the paper.
We also use parental social class data, not just Free School Meals, to allow much more nuanced insights into school populations.
We also looked at the correlation between parental social class for students going to university & FSM - interesting results:
We also use parental social class data, not just Free School Meals, to allow much more nuanced insights into school populations.
We also looked at the correlation between parental social class for students going to university & FSM - interesting results:
August 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
You can read all about that in the paper.
We also use parental social class data, not just Free School Meals, to allow much more nuanced insights into school populations.
We also looked at the correlation between parental social class for students going to university & FSM - interesting results:
We also use parental social class data, not just Free School Meals, to allow much more nuanced insights into school populations.
We also looked at the correlation between parental social class for students going to university & FSM - interesting results:
Our paper on clusters of schools across the UK is out.
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
August 5, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Our paper on clusters of schools across the UK is out.
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
We find five clusters: multi-racial & super-diverse middle & working-class schools of towns & cities, suburban white middle class schools, established elite schools & (post-)industrial white working class schools.
doi.org/10.1002/berj...
The end of the Durham Uni Palestine Solidarity Encampment was a year ago today.
The hope, solidarity & poeer we have is what we *do* together and nothing else.
No one else is coming to save us. We have to do it ourselves.
The hope, solidarity & poeer we have is what we *do* together and nothing else.
No one else is coming to save us. We have to do it ourselves.
June 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The end of the Durham Uni Palestine Solidarity Encampment was a year ago today.
The hope, solidarity & poeer we have is what we *do* together and nothing else.
No one else is coming to save us. We have to do it ourselves.
The hope, solidarity & poeer we have is what we *do* together and nothing else.
No one else is coming to save us. We have to do it ourselves.
I hope I am never not haunted by the photos and videos that have come out of Gaza over the last two years.
As a new parent, thinking about the systematic destruction of hospitals and the starvation tactics of food, medical supplies is terrifying.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
As a new parent, thinking about the systematic destruction of hospitals and the starvation tactics of food, medical supplies is terrifying.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
June 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I hope I am never not haunted by the photos and videos that have come out of Gaza over the last two years.
As a new parent, thinking about the systematic destruction of hospitals and the starvation tactics of food, medical supplies is terrifying.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
As a new parent, thinking about the systematic destruction of hospitals and the starvation tactics of food, medical supplies is terrifying.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Whose friends had been disappeared and a fellow student killed by the police during a protest.
Thinking of that always made me think if they can resist in the face of such a long history of violent oppression by (CIA backed) paramilitary and state forces then so can I.
Thinking of that always made me think if they can resist in the face of such a long history of violent oppression by (CIA backed) paramilitary and state forces then so can I.
June 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Whose friends had been disappeared and a fellow student killed by the police during a protest.
Thinking of that always made me think if they can resist in the face of such a long history of violent oppression by (CIA backed) paramilitary and state forces then so can I.
Thinking of that always made me think if they can resist in the face of such a long history of violent oppression by (CIA backed) paramilitary and state forces then so can I.
I've been thinking of the bit on Al-Manshiyyah/Manshiyah and its destruction during the 1948 war alot.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manshiya
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manshiya
May 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I've been thinking of the bit on Al-Manshiyyah/Manshiyah and its destruction during the 1948 war alot.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manshiya
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manshiya
Yvette Cooper; "I've been enabling racism + the far right since before Nigel Farage" Like this is some claim to fame!
Endlessly enabling more toxic dangerous violence
Endlessly enabling more toxic dangerous violence
May 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Yvette Cooper; "I've been enabling racism + the far right since before Nigel Farage" Like this is some claim to fame!
Endlessly enabling more toxic dangerous violence
Endlessly enabling more toxic dangerous violence
Ange from @pcsunion.bsky.social talking about the dispute against the victimisation of trades union reps at hmrc in newcastle.
They have just extended their dispute: www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
They have just extended their dispute: www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
May 3, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Ange from @pcsunion.bsky.social talking about the dispute against the victimisation of trades union reps at hmrc in newcastle.
They have just extended their dispute: www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
They have just extended their dispute: www.pcs.org.uk/news-events/...
At the May Day demo in Newcastle with the @rmtunion.bsky.social band playing us all the way to Grey's Monument.
May 3, 2025 at 11:17 AM
At the May Day demo in Newcastle with the @rmtunion.bsky.social band playing us all the way to Grey's Monument.
Visiting the brilliant @newcastleucu.bsky.social pickets this morning bringing solidarity from @ducu.bsky.social!
May 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Visiting the brilliant @newcastleucu.bsky.social pickets this morning bringing solidarity from @ducu.bsky.social!
Astoundingly bad social media output.
Is this parody?
Glad people voted for chonge with Keith.
Is this parody?
Glad people voted for chonge with Keith.
May 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Astoundingly bad social media output.
Is this parody?
Glad people voted for chonge with Keith.
Is this parody?
Glad people voted for chonge with Keith.
Another sunny day with some big pickets @ducu.bsky.social.
A picket line visit from local MP Mary Foy and the mighty @newcastleucu.bsky.social!
Students also voting for refucing senior management numbers as opposed to cutting professional services staff.
A picket line visit from local MP Mary Foy and the mighty @newcastleucu.bsky.social!
Students also voting for refucing senior management numbers as opposed to cutting professional services staff.
May 1, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Another sunny day with some big pickets @ducu.bsky.social.
A picket line visit from local MP Mary Foy and the mighty @newcastleucu.bsky.social!
Students also voting for refucing senior management numbers as opposed to cutting professional services staff.
A picket line visit from local MP Mary Foy and the mighty @newcastleucu.bsky.social!
Students also voting for refucing senior management numbers as opposed to cutting professional services staff.
Just watched a bee fertilise the applentree in our little back yard.
Very relaxing.
Very relaxing.
April 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Just watched a bee fertilise the applentree in our little back yard.
Very relaxing.
Very relaxing.
Another big picket rally @ducu.bsky.social. out all week against compulsory redundancies of professional services staff.
The longer the picket, the shorter strike!
The longer the picket, the shorter strike!
April 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Another big picket rally @ducu.bsky.social. out all week against compulsory redundancies of professional services staff.
The longer the picket, the shorter strike!
The longer the picket, the shorter strike!
Great turnout today on @ducu.bsky.social pickets. On strike to protect professional services staff jobs.
An attack on one is an attack on all!
Management tried to pit academics against professional services staff - they've failed!
We are *all* the university!
An attack on one is an attack on all!
Management tried to pit academics against professional services staff - they've failed!
We are *all* the university!
April 28, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Great turnout today on @ducu.bsky.social pickets. On strike to protect professional services staff jobs.
An attack on one is an attack on all!
Management tried to pit academics against professional services staff - they've failed!
We are *all* the university!
An attack on one is an attack on all!
Management tried to pit academics against professional services staff - they've failed!
We are *all* the university!
Massive trans rights & solidarity demo in Newcastle.
Lots of young people.
There are many many more of us!!!
Lots of young people.
There are many many more of us!!!
April 27, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Massive trans rights & solidarity demo in Newcastle.
Lots of young people.
There are many many more of us!!!
Lots of young people.
There are many many more of us!!!
Bye bye Newcastle till Thurs.
Looking forward to @britsoci.bsky.social #britsoc25
I'm on tomorrow at 9am as part of a panel on @aaronreeves.bsky.social & @samfriedman.bsky.social's Born to Rule book & then at 15:30 talking about a typology of UK schools by race & class/who goes to private school.
Looking forward to @britsoci.bsky.social #britsoc25
I'm on tomorrow at 9am as part of a panel on @aaronreeves.bsky.social & @samfriedman.bsky.social's Born to Rule book & then at 15:30 talking about a typology of UK schools by race & class/who goes to private school.
April 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Bye bye Newcastle till Thurs.
Looking forward to @britsoci.bsky.social #britsoc25
I'm on tomorrow at 9am as part of a panel on @aaronreeves.bsky.social & @samfriedman.bsky.social's Born to Rule book & then at 15:30 talking about a typology of UK schools by race & class/who goes to private school.
Looking forward to @britsoci.bsky.social #britsoc25
I'm on tomorrow at 9am as part of a panel on @aaronreeves.bsky.social & @samfriedman.bsky.social's Born to Rule book & then at 15:30 talking about a typology of UK schools by race & class/who goes to private school.
Got out in the hills on the edge of County Durham around Consett.
Absolutely stonking.
Maybe the last time before the babies arrive.
Absolutely stonking.
Maybe the last time before the babies arrive.
April 19, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Got out in the hills on the edge of County Durham around Consett.
Absolutely stonking.
Maybe the last time before the babies arrive.
Absolutely stonking.
Maybe the last time before the babies arrive.
Happy birthday to my dad who would have been 76 this week.
Here he is with my beautiful mum.
He died of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the building trade: www.hazards.org/deadlybusine...
International Workers' Memorial Day is 28th April, look out for local events. www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD
Here he is with my beautiful mum.
He died of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the building trade: www.hazards.org/deadlybusine...
International Workers' Memorial Day is 28th April, look out for local events. www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD
April 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Happy birthday to my dad who would have been 76 this week.
Here he is with my beautiful mum.
He died of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the building trade: www.hazards.org/deadlybusine...
International Workers' Memorial Day is 28th April, look out for local events. www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD
Here he is with my beautiful mum.
He died of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the building trade: www.hazards.org/deadlybusine...
International Workers' Memorial Day is 28th April, look out for local events. www.tuc.org.uk/IWMD
Never forget just how miserable, miserly and marketised student finance is for students in England even compared to other home nations, let alone Nordic countries etc.
The way this country treats young people is grotesque honestly.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The way this country treats young people is grotesque honestly.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
April 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Never forget just how miserable, miserly and marketised student finance is for students in England even compared to other home nations, let alone Nordic countries etc.
The way this country treats young people is grotesque honestly.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The way this country treats young people is grotesque honestly.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Managed to get sunburnt on a long run nr Hexham. Lovely stuff though.
March 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Managed to get sunburnt on a long run nr Hexham. Lovely stuff though.